US: Meijer announces opening date for new Meijer Grocery store concept
Meijer announced January 26, 2023 as the opening day for its first two Meijer Grocery stores in Orion Township and Macomb Township. Meijer Grocery is a new type of Meijer store focused on simplifying the customer shopping experience.
Source: prnewswire.com
US: Walmart CEO says shoppers are being more selective as they deal with inflation
The American shopper is still feeling “stressed” by inflation, and the effects aren’t being felt evenly across categories, Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said. Shoppers are being more selective about their purchases, McMillon said, and skipping some electronics, for example, in favor of staples. Walmart is among a slew of retailers that has seen a shift in shopping patterns, as inflation drives up the price of food, housing and more. McMillon also said theft is becoming a bigger issue at stores across the U.S. If the problem continues, it could lead to store closures and price jumps.
Source: cnbc.com
US: Village posts Q1 gains on inflation, productivity improvements
ShopRite operator Village Super Market said inflation and new store openings helped drive sales gains of about 5.2% in the first quarter, as the company added a new Gourmet Garage location in New York City and converted a former Fairway in Pelham, New York, to the ShopRite banner. In addition, net income increased by 51% in the quarter, to $11.1mln, driven in part by gross margin gains and reduced operating costs as a percent of sales in the 13-week period, which ended October 29. Same-store sales were up 4.3% for the quarter, which the company attributed to inflation, and same-store digital sales rose 5.5%. Total sales were $519.7mln, vs. $494.2mln in the year-ago first quarter.
Source: supermarketnews.com
How HelloFresh tackles food insecurity through donation programs in the US
HelloFresh reported: "In conversation with Pooja Pelham, Social Impact Manager at HelloFresh US. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, unemployment and food insecurity soared in the United States. In 2021, over 53mln people turned to food banks and community programs for help putting food on the table. Donating food is not only an important way to give back to the community, but also part of HelloFresh’s strategy to reduce the amount of food waste caused globally. In 2021 HelloFresh globally donated 68% of surplus food to charities, which means in total 10,000 tonnes of food were given to communities in need."
Source: hellofreshgroup.com
US: Boxed eyes increased funding to drive profits
Following the recent announcement that its stock was in danger of being delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, wholesale grocery ecommerce company Boxed said it hopes that anticipated new funding will help drive it toward profitability. “I don’t think the stock price reflects how exciting the current situation is for us”, said Chieh Huang, co-founder and CEO of Boxed, in a webcast with investment firm UBS. In the third quarter, Boxed reported a loss of $26.4mln on revenues of about $41.7mln.
Source: supermarketnews.com
US: FTC asks Kroger for more information on Albertsons merger
The Kroger Co. has been asked to provide additional information to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on its pending merger with Albertsons Cos. as part of the agency’s regulatory review process. Kroger said that it anticipated the request, and that it plans to work cooperatively with the FTC throughout its proceedings. This second request will extend the waiting period imposed by the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act until 30 days after the two grocers have complied with all of the FTC’s requests. Kroger still expects the merger to close in early 2024.
Source: progressivegrocer.com
Ahold Delhaize takes suppliers and customers on climate mission
Ahold Delhaize is updating its climate goals, focusing on its suppliers, products and customers. Suppliers will have to start reducing their emissions, while the shops will carry more plant-based products.
Source: retaildetail.eu
Picnic switches to Système U after two years with Cora
When Picnic launched its French activities in May 2021, it partnered with hypermarket chain Cora for purchasing and logistics. That collaboration will come to an end in the first quarter of 2023, French trade magazine LSA reports. From now on, Picnic will rely on the services of supermarket chain Système U for its supplies. “We have signed a similar agreement with U as with Cora”, Picnic co-founder Michiel Muller confirms.
Source: retaildetail.eu
UK: Ocado halts expansion as online grocery demand wanes
Ocado has revealed it will pause the development of more automated distribution centres in the UK as online grocery demand begins to ease. In a presentation to analysts, the online-only grocer stated two new customer fulfilment centres (CFCs), which were scheduled to open in 2024 and 2025, will now be delayed, The Financial Times reported.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
UK: Aldi begins Christmas supermarket price war with 19p veg offer
Aldi has kickstarted the annual Christmas supermarket price war with the return of its traditional festive food discounts, including vegetables being sold for as little as 19p. Running throughout the week leading up to Christmas - from Sunday 18 December until Saturday 24 December 24 - the discounted vegetables also form part of Aldi’s year-round ‘Super 6’ fruit and veg price cuts. The seasonal deal has been designed to keep the costs down for a traditional Christmas roast and includes 1kg of carrots, 2kg of potatoes and 500g of parsnips, as well as red and white cabbages, swedes and the all-important brussels sprouts. All vegetables within the deal will sell for 19p.
Source: grocerygazette.co.uk
Britain's Asda to open 300 convenience stores in next four years
British supermarket group Asda said it planned to open 300 convenience stores by the end of 2026, aiming to become a player in the smaller shop market to help drive growth, and creating 10,000 new jobs in the process. The group opened its second Asda Express convenience store in Tottenham, north London, and added that it had found locations for more openings in Wiltshire, Essex and Surrey.
Source: reuters.com
Croatia: Largest SPAR Supermarket in Zagreb reopens with stronger fresh food offer
After a two-month renovation, the largest SPAR Supermarket in Croatia’s capital city Zagreb reopened. Located on Martićeva Street in the trendy ‘Design District’, the revamped store has a premium look and offer, with an increased focus on fresh food. The fresh food offer is complemented by a large selection of fresh fruit and vegetables, as well as top-quality bakery products.
Source: spar-international.com
Korea’s biggest convenience store owner wins milestone export award
GS Retail Co., operator of South Korea’s largest convenience store chain GS25, won an award for achieving over $7mln in exports, setting an example that locally-based convenience stores can sell overseas and contribute to the country’s exports.
Source: pulsenews.co.kr
Turkey executive quits retailer group after inflation blame game
A top executive at one of Turkey’s largest supermarket chains was forced to resign as head of an industry body after fiercely rejecting claims that retailers are responsible for the country’s soaring inflation. Galip Aykac, the chief operating officer of BIM Birlesik Magazalar AS, quit as chairman and board member of the Food Retailers Association, according to a statement on the group’s website.
Source: bnnbloomberg.ca